Introduction
Sony
is widely recognized as a true technology leader in the world of home
electronics. In today’s marketplace, Sony boasts some of the most
forward-thinking products available at any price, including Qualia SRXD
video displays, Blu-ray discs and far beyond. While Sony has launched
new lines in Qualia (ultra-high-end gear) and Bravia (LCD TVs), they
are also out to breathe new life into their Elevated Standards (ES)
line for an entirely new generation of buyers. This starts with a new
7.1-channel A/V receiver called the STR-DA3100ES. Seven channels are
supported by 120 watts of crisp power, countless features and numerous
input/outputs for a list price of $999.99.
Features
The front of the STR-DA3100ES is an attractive
sight. The brushed aluminum face and the aluminum-colored chassis are
pleasant changes from the traditional jet-black finishes that are
synonymous with A/V components. The two-line dot matrix display is
recessed from the front of the unit where the input ...

Introduction
I
have always pushed my receivers and AV preamps to the limit in terms of
inputs. Having almost every modern videogame system imaginable, an HD
PVR, a DVD player, a few VCRs, an Onkyo Nettunes receiver, a DAT
player, a High-8 video camera and a Sirius Satellite receiver, among
others, as source components, I have yet to find a receiver or AV
preamp that fully accepts every single input I throw at it without
compromising somewhere. That is, until I discovered Integra’s
top-of-the-line DTR-10.5 receiver which starts at $3,800. The
connection possibilities are almost endless and the amount of sound
formats and technologies on the DTR-10.5 are unbelievable. From the
high-quality 192 kHz/24-bit DACs to almost every DTS and Dolby Digital
format known to man and with Integra’s Nettunes Internet radio music
server playback capabilities built in, I believe this 7.1-capable
receiver with THX®Surround EX™ and THX®Certified Ultra2 can be the core
of a $10,000 ...

Introduction
As
people rush out to electronic stores to get the biggest plasma or
projection HDTV they can afford, many are realizing that something is
missing when they get their monster set home. The impact and the “wow”
factor of a new TV is not quite the same without the killer sound that
we experience in the store. It is essential to not skimp on the audio
electronics when building an HDTV-based home theater, no matter the
scope of the system. This is where Sherwood Newcastle comes in. What
better company to trust with your new receiver than the receiver
supplier to many of the industry's best-known brands? Newbies to the
world of home theater are often surprised to learn that, in addition to
making its own brand of high-quality receivers, Sherwood is also
responsible for OEM (original equipment manufacturer) receivers for
other companies. Because of their internal R&D paired with an
outright amazing ability ...

Introduction
When
it comes to designing and manufacturing components with excellent QRP
(quality to price ratio), few companies can match the track record of
NAD. For the last three decades, NAD has stayed true to their founding
creed, designing and manufacturing components with outstanding
performance, excellent value and simplicity of operation. Speaking as a
satisfied customer, I’ve owned many NAD products through the years,
utilizing them in a broad array of applications with excellent results.
NAD has applied this same high-performance, cost-conscious design and
manufacturing philosophy to their first seven-channel, surround sound
receiver, the T 773. Positioned at the top of NAD’s “Classic” line of
audio/video receivers, the T 773 incorporates an extremely
full-featured, flexible processor/preamplifier/tuner section with a
formidable multi-channel amplifier. Offering the latest surround sound
DSP algorithms, with a few proprietary modes as well, the T 773 is also
capable of being upgraded via a RS232 port, insuring its ability to
stay current with potential ...

Introduction
There
are few audio/video enthusiasts or even casual consumers that have not
heard of the brand Harman Kardon. Founded by Dr. Sidney Harman, Harman
Kardon has been contributing innovative hi-fi products to the market
for over 50 years. They are responsible for many industry firsts: the
first receiver (the festival D1000 in 1953), the first stereo receiver,
the first cassette player with Dolby B, and the list goes on. Recently,
Harman Kardon released the AVR 630, a cutting-edge A/V receiver that
packs seven channels of high-current amplification with all the latest
features in home theater technology for a price of $1,299.
The first thing you will notice about the AVR 630 is that it is
gorgeous. I love how they ditched the traditional all-black steel
chassis and went for the silver finish instead. The plastic front panel
has a two-tone color scheme of silver and black with ultra-cool blue
LEDs accenting the standby switch ...